JP2016520197A - Shock absorber with plug-in fitting - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a damping device (100) for a timer element arbor having a support (110) with a base cup (111) on which a circumferential rim (112) is provided, the circumferential rim (112) ) Is bounded by the upper side (113) on the opposite side of the base cup, the base cup and the peripheral rim together define the housing (114), the buffering device further corresponding to the arbor (D) A pivot system (120) extending in the direction in which the at least one pivot system is arranged in the housing and is formed by a foundation (121), with elastic return means ( 123) and this elastic return means (123) is formed by at least one curved arm (124), the foundation being linked to the arbor Opening (121a) is provided with a pivot element which can Rukoto (122) is inserted. At least one curved arm is used to lock the pivot system with a bayonet fitting. [Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a damping device for an arbor of a timer element having a base cup on which a peripheral rim is provided and having a support therein, the peripheral rim being on the opposite side of the base cup The base cup and the peripheral rim together define a housing, the cushioning device further comprising a pivot system extending in a direction corresponding to the arbor, wherein at least one pivot system is Arranged in the housing and formed by a foundation, having elastic return means on the periphery of the foundation, the elastic return means being formed by at least one curved arm, An opening is provided into which a pivot element that can be associated with the arbor is inserted.

  Buffer devices for the arbor of timer elements are known. For example, for a balance or arbor that supports a gear having a support on which a housing is provided. The housing has a perforated foundation through which an arbor shank passes and an inner wall. As shown in FIG. 1, the device further comprises a foundation 2 having a pivot system 1 provided in the housing and having elastic return means 3 on the periphery. As shown in FIG. 1, these return means are in the form of arms 4 and are connected to the base 2 by a first end and to the annular periphery 5 by a second end.

  This foundation is provided with an opening 6. Into this opening 6 is inserted a pivot element which can be linked to the arbor. This pivot element and foundation can form a single piece.

  Upon assembly of the cushioning device, the cushioning device is pushed into the housing in the support.

  One of the challenges of these known buffer devices is that they are cumbersome. In fact, due to their nature, the surface area of a device with an arm is larger than a lyre-shaped spring system. Due to the presence of the ring-like part to which the second end of the return means is fixed, the volume is further increased.

  As a result, this type of dampening device can only be used in large size timer movements, not in compact timer movements.

  Another challenge with these devices is the stiffness of the attachment between the elastic return means, ie the arm, and the annular periphery. In fact, the principle of pushing the device into the housing in the support means that the rigid attachment of the arms to the annular circumference behaves as if the arms are firmly fixed to the support. Thus, such attachment creates stress in the arm. The arm at that time must have a size that prevents any risk of breakage.

  The present invention aims to overcome the problems of the prior art by proposing to provide a shock absorbing device that is more compact and generates less stress.

  To achieve this, the present invention relates to a damping device for an arbor of a timer element having a base cup with a peripheral rim provided thereon and a support having a cavity therein, the peripheral rim comprising: On the opposite side of the base cup, the upper side is delimited, the base cup and the peripheral rim together define a housing, the buffer device further extending at least in a direction perpendicular to the arbor D Having at least one pivot system, the at least one pivot system being arranged in the housing and formed by a foundation 121 and having elastic return means 123 on the periphery of the foundation, The means is formed by at least one curved arm 124 and the foundation has a pivot element that can be associated with the arbor 22 is provided, and the peripheral rim has at least one vacant portion opened on the upper side surface within the thickness range, and the vacant portion is provided in parallel with the arbor D. And a non-penetrating groove provided in a direction intersecting with one of the concave parts on the opposite side of the upper side surface, and the non-penetrating groove defines the curved arm of the at least one pivot system. Used to lock with plug-in fittings.

  The advantage of this device is that it is more compact and can therefore be used for small dimension timer movements.

  In addition, the plug-in fitting has an advantage that it is simpler and easier to disassemble than the usually used press-fitting method.

  In a first preferred embodiment, the at least one arm has a free end that engages the at least one groove.

  In a second preferred embodiment, the groove has a cavity into which a catch located at the free end of the at least one curved arm is inserted.

  In a third preferred embodiment, the pivot element has a single jewel.

  In another preferred embodiment, the pivot element has a setting into which a jewel hole formation traversed by the arbor shank and a catch stone are fitted.

  In another preferred embodiment, the pivot element and the foundation are made to be a single piece.

  In another preferred embodiment, the elastic return means is formed by three curved arms offset by 120 ° angularly, and the rim has three empty portions within its thickness.

  In another preferred embodiment, the cushioning device further comprises an additional spring that returns the arbor to its initial position in the event of an axial impact.

  In another preferred embodiment, said additional spring is a lila spring in the form of an open ring with a joint or hinge and two locking tabs.

  In another preferred embodiment, the additional spring is a flat annular spring in the form of a closed ring with a shoulder extending towards the arbor.

  In another preferred embodiment, the device has two pivot systems that use the same cavity to lock one curved arm of each pivot system with a bayonet fitting.

  In another preferred embodiment, the device has two pivot systems, each using a void to lock one curved arm of the pivot system with a bayonet fitting.

  By reading the following detailed description of at least one embodiment of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings, given by way of example only, without limitation, the objects, advantages and features of the buffer device according to the present invention will become more apparent It will be clearly understood.

1 is a schematic view of a buffer device according to the prior art. 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a buffer device according to the present invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the buffer device which concerns on this invention. It is the schematic of the support body of the buffering device which concerns on this invention. 1 is a schematic view from below of a pivot system of a shock absorber device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a buffer device according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a buffer device according to the present invention. FIG. It is the schematic of 2nd Embodiment of the buffering device which concerns on this invention. It is the schematic of 2nd Embodiment of the buffering device which concerns on this invention. It is the schematic of 3rd Embodiment of the buffering device which concerns on this invention.

  2 and 3 show a cushioning device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This buffer device can be used as part of a timer.

  The shock absorber or impact resistant device 100 has a support 110 with a hollow interior with a base cup 111. A circumferential rim 112 is mounted on the base cup 111, and the circumferential rim 112 is limited by an upper side 113 on the side opposite to the cup. Both the cup and rim define the shape of the housing 114 shown in FIGS.

  The support 110 can be an independent part that is press-fitted or attached by other known means to the frame of the timepiece movement, or forms part of another part of the movement, such as a bridge or plate. can do.

  The pivot system 120 extends along the arbor D, and the pivot system 120 is disposed within a housing 114 that is shaped by a cup 111 and a rim 112. The pivot system 120 has an annular foundation 121 in the form of a disc. The foundation 121 can be made of metal or a single crystal type material such as silicon, ruby or sapphire, or a polycrystalline type material such as ceramics.

  This annular foundation 121 shown in FIG. 3 is a single piece element 127 that serves as a pivot element 122. That is, the annular base 121 is provided with a non-through hole or a through hole 12 in which an arbor shank is engaged. The diameter of the hole is calculated so that the arbor shank that engages the hole can rotate freely with minimal clearance.

  The pivot system 120 further includes elastic return means 123. These elastic return means 123 are formed by at least one elastic bending arm 124 and are attached to the peripheral portion of the annular base 121 by one end thereof. These elastic return means 124 are selected to have both reaction forces in the direction along the arbor and in the direction perpendicular to the arbor. This means that the pivot system 120 can react in the event of an axial or radial impact.

  Preferably, according to the present invention, the end of the curved arm 124 is not attached to the annular foundation and is free. This feature allows a more compact pivot system 120 to be obtained compared to prior art systems. This is because the surface area is small.

  Preferably, the elastic return means 123 is formed by three curved arms 124, each having a point of attachment to the foundation 121 that is offset by 120 °. Obviously, such an elastic function can be ensured by changing the number or shape of the arms 124.

  In order to secure the pivot system 120 to the support 110, the present invention preferably proposes to use a bayonet fitting system as shown in FIG.

  In order to achieve this, the rim 112 is provided with at least one void 116 within its thickness range. This void portion 116 is formed by a recess 117 and a non-penetrating groove 118. The recess 117 is provided in parallel with the arbor D and is opened at the upper side 113, and the non-penetrating groove 118 is provided on the opposite side of the upper side 113 in a direction intersecting with one of the recesses. This groove 118 is used to lock the curved arm 124 of the pivot system with a bayonet fitting.

  When the elastic return means 113 has three curved arms 124, three empty portions 116 are provided.

  The pivot system 120 is mounted on the housing 114 so that the free end of the curved arm 124 can be inserted into the recess 117. In this way, the pivot system can be inserted into the housing so that the pivot system is close to the base cup 111. When the pivot system reaches the abutment position, the curved arm must be opposed to the groove 118. As a result, a rotational movement takes place, the free end of the curved arm 124 is inserted into the groove 118 and the pivot system is fixed in the support 110.

  This method of securing the pivot system 120 to the support housing 110 has the advantage of producing only small stresses. In fact, since the ends of the bending arms are free, the elastic bending arms are independent. This is because they are not connected to each other and can be simply deformed.

  The geometric configuration of the groove 118 or the recess 117 may be varied. Thus, it is obvious that the groove 118 or the recess 117 may be cylindrical, parallelepiped or elliptical.

  Similarly, the dimensions of the recess 117 or groove 118 can be adapted as required. For example, the recess 117 can extend all or part of the height of the rim 112. If the recess extends over the entire height of the rim, the pivot system 120 will contact the bottom of the housing 114 after assembly on the support 110. That is, it comes into contact with the cup 111. However, if the recess does not extend over the entire height of the rim 112, the pivot system will not touch the cup 111. This therefore allows greater freedom of movement to the pivot system as compared to the case where the recess 117 extends over the entire height of the rim 112.

  In one preferred variant, the locking of the pivot system 120 within the housing 114 is improved. To accomplish this, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the curved arms 124 has a catch 141 extending at its free end in a radial direction relative to the central arbor D of the annular foundation 121. Accordingly, each non-penetrating groove 118 is provided with an additional cavity 140 that is deeper than the groove 118. This additional cavity allows the catch 141 to engage there.

  As a result, when the pivot system 120 is set in place, the arm 124 provided with the catch 141 is engaged with each recess 117. As a result, the arm 124 is elastically deformed due to the difference in depth during rotation. This elastic deformation is clearly effected by the curved arm 124 moving near the annular foundation 121. If the catch 141 positioned at the free end of each arm 124 is positioned so as to face the cavity 140 of the groove 118, the stress applied to the arm 124 is relaxed, and the arm 124 tends to return to the rest position. In this way, the catch of each arm is inserted into the cavity to prevent rotation of the pivot system.

  It can be envisioned that the recesses and cavities have similar depths.

  In the second embodiment, the annular foundation 121 is provided with a central orifice 121a (not shown) in which the pivot element 122 is accommodated. This configuration makes it possible to make the annular foundation 121 and the elastic return means 123 from a first material and the pivot element 122 from a second material. Thus, the first and second materials can be selected as required. For example, a material with elastic properties is preferred for the arm 124, and a hard material with some degree of friction and wear resistance is preferred for the pivot element 122.

  In the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the pivot element 122 is in the form of a single jewel 127. This is for example made of ruby. The single jewel 127 is disposed in the orifice 121a of the annular base 121 and is provided with a non-through hole or a through hole, in which an arbor shank is engaged. The diameter of the hole is calculated so that the arbor shank that engages the hole can rotate freely with minimal clearance. This single jewel 127 is secured within the orifice 121a of the annular foundation 121 by press fitting, adhesive bonding or welding or other possible methods. An advantage of this embodiment is that a pivot system 120 having only the following two parts can be provided. That is, a single jewel 127 that serves as a pivot element and an annular foundation 121 having an arm 124.

  In the second exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the pivot element has a setting 128. In this setting 128, the jewel hole forming part 129 traversed by the arbor shank and the receiving stone 130 are fixed. The setting 128 is in the form of a tubular part having an outer surface and an inner surface and an inner diameter D1. This inner surface has a shoulder, whereby the setting 128 has a region having a second inner diameter D2. Preferably, the inner diameter D2 is larger than the inner diameter D1. As a result, the jewel hole forming portion 129 is inserted into the inner diameter D1, and the receiving stone 130 is inserted into the inner diameter D2 and can come into contact with the shoulder portion. In this case, it can be assumed that the jewel hole forming portion 129 has a smaller diameter than the receiving stone 130. However, the reverse configuration is also possible.

  At that time, the setting 128 is disposed in the orifice 121a of the annular base 121 and is fixed, for example, by press fitting, adhesive bonding or welding. This second exemplary embodiment has the advantage that the settings 128, jewel hole formations 129 and stones 130 used in traditional shock absorbing devices can be used. Second, this second example facilitates storage of the lubricant.

  In one of the variants of this second exemplary embodiment, the setting 128 and the annular foundation 121 are such that they are a single part so that the jewel hole formation 129 and the catch stone 130 are secured directly on the annular foundation. Made.

  The second embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 envisions improving axial shock absorption. To achieve this, the cushioning device according to the second embodiment further comprises an additional spring 150. This additional spring 150 is a flat lila spring. That is, this additional spring 150 is in the form of an open ring with a joint or hinge and two locking tabs. These joints or hinges and the two locking tabs are on the diametrically opposite side. In this way, a fixing region is created in the rim of the support for fixing the additional spring. This attachment is performed so that the pivot system 120 is prestressed. When there is an axial impact, the pivot system 120 is stressed through the arbor shank, and the curved arm 124 is deformed accordingly. At that time, stress is applied to the additional spring 150, which elastically deforms. As the stress due to the axial impact disappears, the additional spring 150 returns to its initial position and attempts to return the pivot system 120 to its rest position.

  However, the additional spring is a closed flat annular spring 151, which has a plurality of strips 152 extending toward the central axis of the annular spring 151. At that time, as shown in FIG. 9, the annular spring 151 can be bonded or welded to the upper side of the rim.

  In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the shock absorber device 100 can have two pivot systems 120. These pivot systems are preferably mounted to the support 110 at the housing 114 by a bayonet fitting system. Several possibilities can be envisioned to achieve this.

  The first possibility involves using the same void 116 for both pivot systems 120. As a result, the void 116 is formed by the recess 117 and the two non-penetrating grooves 118. The recess 117 is provided in parallel with the arbor D and is open at the upper side 113, and the two non-penetrating grooves 118 is provided on the opposite side of the upper side surface 113 in a direction intersecting with one of the recesses. These two grooves 118 are parallel and each groove 118 is used to lock one curved arm 124 of one pivot system with a bayonet fitting. In this way, the shape of the space between the two pivot systems 120 is defined by the space between the two grooves 118.

  A second possibility involves having two separate voids 116, one for each pivot system 120. Each of the voids 116 is formed by a recess 117 and a non-penetrating groove 118, which is provided in parallel to the arbor D and is open at the upper side 113, and the non-penetrating groove 118 is opposite to the upper side 113. On the side, it is provided in a direction intersecting with one of the recesses. This groove 118 is used to lock the curved arm 124 of the pivot system with a bayonet fitting. The two empty portions are configured such that they are angularly offset and located in different planes. Thus, it will be appreciated that a space is created between the two pivot systems 120 when the two pivot systems 120 are assembled.

  In both possibilities, as in FIG. 3, the pivot system can be made entirely as a single piece, or a setting or a single jewel can be inserted into the central orifice 121a of the foundation 121. In this two-pivot system configuration, the bottommost pivot system in the housing is provided with a through-hole and an arbor shank is inserted into and supported on the second pivot system. It also means that you can.

  Of course, the offset angle between the two voids can be any angle.

  Also, it is understood that this third embodiment is not limited to just two pivot systems 120, but many pivot systems 120 may be disposed within the housing 114 of the support 110. It will be possible.

  Obviously, various modifications and / or improvements apparent to those skilled in the art may be made to the various embodiments of the present invention described in this description without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (12)

A damping device (100) for an arbor of a timer element having a support (110) having a base cup (111) with a peripheral rim (112) provided thereon,
The circumferential rim (112) is delimited by the upper side (113) on the opposite side of the foundation cup,
The base cup and the peripheral rim together define a housing (114);
The cushioning device further comprises at least one pivot system (120) extending in a direction perpendicular to the arbor (D),
The at least one pivot system is formed by a foundation (121) disposed in the housing and provided with a pivot element (122) capable of cooperating with the arbor. The elastic return means (123) is formed by at least one curved arm (124).
The peripheral rim (112) has, within its thickness range, at least one void (116) that is open on the upper side;
The void (116) includes a recess (117) provided in parallel with the arbor (D) and a non-penetrating groove (118) provided in a direction intersecting with one of the recesses on the opposite side of the upper surface. ) And
Buffer device, wherein the non-through groove (118) is used to lock the curved arm of the at least one pivot system with a bayonet fitting. The at least one arm has a free end;
The dampening device of claim 1, wherein the free end engages the at least one groove. The groove is provided with a cavity,
The shock absorbing device according to claim 1, wherein a catch located at the free end of the at least one curved arm is inserted into the cavity. 4. The shock absorbing device according to claim 1, wherein the pivot element has a single jewel. The pivot element has a setting;
The buffer device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a jewel hole forming portion traversed by the arbor shank and a receiving stone are fixed to the setting. The shock absorbing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pivot element and the foundation are made to be a single part. The elastic return means is formed by three curved arms that are offset by 120 ° angularly,
The shock absorbing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the peripheral rim has three hollow portions within a thickness range. 8. The shock absorbing device according to claim 1, further comprising an additional spring that returns the arbor to its initial position when there is an axial impact. 9. The shock absorbing device according to claim 8, wherein the additional spring is a lira-shaped spring in the form of an open ring having a hinge and two locking tabs. 9. A dampening device according to claim 8, wherein the additional spring is a flat annular spring in the form of a closed ring having a shoulder extending towards the arbor. 11. The cushioning device has two pivot systems (120) that use the same void (116) to lock one curved arm of each pivot system with a bayonet fitting. The buffer device according to any one of the above. The buffer device has two pivot systems (120), each of which is characterized by using a recess (116) to lock one curved arm of the pivot system with a bayonet fitting. The buffer device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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